Carson Hot Springs | |
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Location | Carson City, Nevada, United States |
Type | Hot spring |
Provides water for | Soaking and swimming pools |
Discharge | 60 US gallons (230 L) |
Temperature | 120 °F (49 °C) |
Carson Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located in Carson City, Nevada, in the Eagle Valley. [1] The spring emits approximately 60 US gallons (230 L) of 120 °F (49 °C) geothermally heated groundwater per minute, and is the largest hot spring in the Eagle Valley. [2] [3] [4] The groundwater originates at 6.6 miles (10.6 km) below the Earth's surface, and the pools at the site are filled with water pumped from the spring. [4] [5] Today, it is a resort that provides private indoor soaking areas, an outdoor swimming pool, massage and dining. [3] [6]
The Carson Hot Springs were first used by Washoe Native Americans in the area. [5] [7] In 1849, immigrants to California during the California Gold Rush happened upon the springs. [1] [5]
In 1880, bathhouses and various accommodations such as dressing rooms, a swimming pool and diving board were built at the site. [1] Weekly rates for room and board were provided at this time, at $10, $12 and $14, respectively ($10 is $ 300 in 2024). [1] Around this time, a hotel was constructed next to the hot springs, and patrons were transported from Carson City to the site by horse and buggy. [1] [3] Circa 1872, the site was purchased from George Bath by Shubael Thaddeus Swift, the Sheriff of Ormsby County, who named it after himself. [5] [8] [9] Another ownership change occurred in 1894 when James Shaw purchased the site and then renamed it to "Shaw's Warm Springs." [5] [8] [9] The site was renamed to its present name in the early 1900s by a business group led by George Wingfield and Fred Dangberg. [1] [5] The business group expanded the property by constructing a club house, which was attended by big bands in the 1930s and 1940s. [5]
Around 1910, the Carson Brewing Company began producing bottled mineral water sourced from Carson Hot Springs and bottled soft drinks. [10]
Boxer "Gentleman Jim" Corbett trained at Carson Hot Springs in preparation for his 1897 boxing match with Robert Fitzsimmons. [3] [5]